Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has welcomed the prospect of Dan Lancaster bolstering his choices at No.10 after the fly-half’s transfer to Glasgow.
Townsend revealed the son of former England boss Stuart Lancaster was already in competition for the present tour the Scots will start with a non-cap fixture in opposition to New Zealand Maori in Whangarei on Saturday.
Lancaster, 24, solely spent a yr with Racing 92 within the Top 14 after two seasons within the English Championship with Ealing Trailfinders.
However he featured in 27 matches together with 16 begins, 9 of them at fly-half, the place he ended the season after beginning the marketing campaign principally at inside centre.
At Glasgow [a move first reported by RugbyPass] he’ll exchange the equally versatile Tom Jordan, one in all three stand-offs within the Scotland occasion in New Zealand, alongside Adam Hastings – who begins in opposition to the Maori – and Fergus Burke, who’s poised for his first Scotland outing off the bench.
“He was in the selection mix for the summer tour,” Townsend said of Lancaster, who won an Under-20s Six Nations Grand Slam with England in 2021 however qualifies for Scotland courtesy of a grandmother from Dumfries.
“I spoke to Dan on a few events. He performed a variety of rugby for Racing final yr and performed properly. He’s competing with the likes of Adam and Fergus who’ve made this tour. [Edinburgh’s] Ross Thompson was additionally unfortunate to overlook out.
“It’s nice that we’ve a participant who’s Scottish-qualified and is eager to be concerned with Scotland. He’s now going to be taking part in in Scotland and serving to Glasgow. It provides to our depth in what is among the most necessary positions on the sphere.”
With first-choice half-backs Finn Russell and Ben White with the Lions in Australia and Jordan being held again for the upcoming Exams with Fiji and Samoa, Hastings and George Horne, by far essentially the most skilled gamers within the aspect with 32 and 36 caps respectively, will likely be tasked with steering the Scotland ship in opposition to the Maori.
Horne, 30, has solely began seven Exams for Scotland and will get a uncommon probability to carry his skill-set to bear on the outset of a sport Townsend considers “a Check match in all however identify”.
“George is one in all our most skilled gamers now and being vice-captain reveals what he means to us,” Townsend mentioned of a participant who scored 14 tries for Warriors this season.
“Beginning video games is clearly what gamers wish to do, however George can be an excellent participant off the bench – that may be a actual energy of his. He can actually up the tempo of a sport and we’ve seen him try this for us so much previously.
“He will get the chance from the beginning this week. However while you get into the second half of a sport and you’ve got George on the bench, he can actually change issues for you.”
One other participant trying to reassert his credentials for a daily place is Saracens flanker Andy Onyeama-Christie, who loved an excellent ultimate sport of the 2024 Six Nations in opposition to Ireland earlier than two damaged arms after which a horrific ankle fracture and dislocation final October derailed his progress.
The 26-year-old returned sooner than anticipated for Sarries, that includes in eight video games – together with two begins – within the ultimate couple of months of the season.
He now has an opportunity to drive his approach into competition for the Fiji and Samoa Exams, with Jamie Ritchie, tour captain Rory Darge and fit-again Matt Fagerson not concerned in opposition to the Maori.
“He’s most likely nonetheless on a journey as a result of he’s not had as many minutes as he would have appreciated,” Townsend mentioned. “Bodily he’s bought again to the extent he was at earlier than, which is an actual credit score to him and the medics who’ve labored with him to assist him.
“It was a horrendous damage that he suffered, however he’s transferring rather well and he’s getting extra concerned.
“I’m certain he would have appreciated possibly a couple of extra 80 minutes within the financial institution earlier than this tour. There’s a variety of competitors within the again row for subsequent week’s sport, however we hope Andy can get near delivering the extent he was at simply over a yr in the past within the Six Nations. He was an actual asset, competing with the others who’ve performed this season.”
Townsend additionally gave an replace on injured tighthead prop Zander Fagerson, hinting it’s unlikely he might nonetheless be a alternative choice if accidents strike the British & Irish Lions, having been pressured to withdraw from the unique squad with a pre-tour calf damage.
“There was a possible choice of him popping out with us to hold on his rehab, nevertheless it was felt it greatest for him to remain at residence,” the top coach added. “The timeline goes to be very tight if he was to be match by the tip of the Lions tour. Everybody needs Zander slot in the suitable time for him. It’s simply very disappointing that he has missed out with that damage.”
